HEALTH JOURNEY FOR PARENTS OF
CHILDREN AND TEENS
HEALTHY KIDS, HEALTHY FUTURES:
2 TO 18 YEARS OLD.
As a parent, you want the best for your children. You work hard to give them everything they need.
THEIR HEALTH IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GIFTS YOU CAN PROTECT.
Checkups aren’t just for when your child is sick, they’re how doctors make sure your child is growing strong, hitting milestones, and staying healthy for the future. This roadmap guides you from two years old.
Use it every year to stay on track.
START TODAY, NOT MAÑANA.
“I THOUGHT ONLY SICK KIDS NEEDED TO SEE THE DOCTOR.
Now I know these checkups are how we keep them healthy and catch
things early. Now I never miss one.
Sofía, San Antonio local and mother of three.
Take your first steps
- Schedule your child or teen’s next checkup.
- Find a doctor you and your child feel comfortable with.
- Bring your questions to the visit.
No insurance
Check out Medicaid or CHIP (The Children’s Health Insurance Program) free or low-cost coverage.
The basics
- Check-ups and screenings
- Vaccines
- Mental health
- Lifestyle
Check-ups & Screenings
Visit a health provider once a year, plus dentist twice a year.
Vaccines
- Your child still needs vaccines to keep them healthy.
- The Human Papillomavirus vacccine (HPV) can help protect your child from certain cancers.
- Your health provider will explain all the vaccines needed.
whole mental health
- Your child’s emotional health is as important as their physical health.
- If they seem sad, worried, withdrawn, have trouble sleeping or eating, or talk about hurting themselves, contact your health provider.
- Early support can make a big difference.
Growing Well
- Encourage your child to stay active, explore hobbies, and build friendships.
- Limit screen time and reinforce that good sleep is essential.
Vaccines
Ages 4-6
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP) Booster
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) Booster
- Polio (IPV) Booster
- Varicella (Chickenpox) Booster
Ages 11-12
-
- HPV (protects against cancer later in life)
- Meningococcal ACWY
- Tdap (Tetanus, diphteria and acellular pertussis) Booster
Ages 13-18
- HPV (if not done at 11 – 12)
- Meningococcal ACWY Booster at age 16
Yearly
- Flu shot
- COVID Vaccine
KIDS:
Age 2-9
AT EVERY VISIT:
Height, weight, and development
Blood pressure, starting at age 3
Lead exposure risk screening (until age of 6)
Vision and hearing tests
Tuberculosis (TB) risk screening every year
KIDS:
Age 9-10
SCREENINGS
Cholesterol screening (especially if there’s family history)
Nutrition and healthy eating habits
Physical activity, kids need to move and play
School performance and learning
Sleep, how much they need
Safety helmets, seatbelts, stranger danger, internet safety
Body changes (puberty talk starts here)
Pre-teens & Teens:
Age 11-18
NEW CONVERSATIONS
Teens may want to talk to their provider about sensitive topics
College/career planning and stress management
Driving safety
Sports physicals for school activities
Acne treatment
Safety: dating violence, bullying, suicide risk
Puberty and body changes
Healthy relationships and boundaries
Birth control and pregnancy prevention (if sexually active)
Social media and mental health
SCREENINGS
Depression screening starting at age 12
Substance use screening and counseling (alcohol, drugs, vaping)
STD and sexual health counseling
Eating disorders screening
Remember
These Checkups
are how you protect your child’s future.
YOU’RE NOT BOTHERING
the health provider with questions, that’s what they’re there for.
YOUR CHILDREN ARE WATCHING
how you prioritize health. When you take them to checkups, you’re teaching them that their health matters.
YOU’RE DOING A GOOD JOB.
Showing up for these appointments means you’re showing up for your kids.
TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP
Schedule
your child’s next checkup
Find a doctor
your child feels comfortable with
Write down
questions before the visit
Update
vaccine records
THEY DEPEND ON YOU. WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT!
My child’s health
Checklist
At every visit:
- Development/milestone check
- Height, weight, check, blood pressure
- Mental health check (anxiety/depression)
- Safety talk
- TB risk screening
- Vision and hearing
Based on age:
- Blood pressure (age 3+)
- Cholesterol (age 9-10+ if at risk)
- Sexual health talk (teens)
- STD testing (if sexually active)
Vaccines due:
- COVID-19 (yearly as recommended)
- Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP) (booster between 4-6 years)
- Flu (yearly)
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (booster between 4-8 years)
- Polio vaccine (IPV) (booster between 4-6 years)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)(booster between 4-6 years)
- HPV vaccine (at age 11)
- Meningococcal ACWY (at age 11) (booster given at age 16)
- Tdap (Tetanus, diphteria and acelular pertussis) Booster (between 11-12 years)
This campaign was made possible by Bexar County.
HAVE HEALTH QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE.
Health Confianza is a community health program that helps people in Bexar County feel more confident about the steps they can take to be healthy. We use health literacy best practices to make it easier for people to understand information and make informed health decisions. Founded in 2021, Health Confianza is based at The University of Texas at San Antonio. By training health professionals and partnering with local organizations, we have engaged thousands of community members to support their well‑being.